Study on different methods in reducing conjunctival bacteria in patients undergoing cataract surgery

Abstract

INTRODUCTION newlineCataract surgery is one of the commonest procedures done in India. Coagulase negative Staphylococcus, Streptococcus, Staphylococcus aureus are flora present in vitreous aspirates in a normal eye. Administration of antibiotic eyedrops pre operatively and utilization of povidone iodine eyedrops is the most common method used in prevention of endophthalmitis. newlineAIM newlineTo compare the pattern of conjunctival flora pre operatively before instillation of antibiotic eye drops after antibiotic eye drops and after povidone iodine eyedrops in patient undergoing cataract surgery. newlineMATERIALS AND METHODS newlineIt is a Prospective Non randomised, institution based interventional study, conducted in Chettinad Hospital and Research Institute. 70 patients posted for cataract are included in this study. 3 swabs were taken from lower conjunctival fornix from the eye posted for cataract surgery, 1st swab before applying antibiotic eye drops, 2nd swab after 4 times application of antibiotic eyedrops, 3rd swab 3 mins after application of povidone iodine eyedrops. Then the swab is sent for microbiology laboratory for culture and sensitivity. newlineRESULTS newlineCoagulase negative Staphylococcus (5.7%) and Corynebacterium (5.7%) was the most common organisms isolated at baseline and they decreased after instillation of Moxifloxacin. After instillation of PI also none of the samples had either of these bacteria. newlineCONCLUSION newlineThe study concluded that there was no statistical relation between age, gender, and ocular comorbidities with the presence of bacterial growth on conjunctival swab culture. According to the results of the current investigation, Coagulase negative Staphylococcus bacteria were most frequently detected in the conjunctival flora of individuals undergoing newlinecataract surgery. With the current evidences discussed, preoperative use of antibiotics and newlinepovidone iodine can be considered for those planned for cataract surgeries. newlineKEYWORDS conjunctival flora, pre operative antibiotic, ophthalmic antibiotic, povidone newlineiodine, endophthalmitis newline